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What I've Been Reading This Week: A Look Back Edition


I came across a couple articles this week (namely on union and labor law related issues) that serve as somewhat of an update to prior posts.  While I could highlight several articles on other topics, I think it is appropriate to dedicate this post to the recent decision of a union president to run for governor of Iowa as well the continued efforts of Columbia University graduate students to have the University bargain with their union.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


SEIU Local President Formally Announces Run For Iowa Governor

Readers might recall that earlier this year, SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson announced that she was "exploring" a run for Governor.  On Tuesday, she made it official and formally announced she was running for Governor of Iowa in 2018.  She has based her campaign in part upon a pledge to raise minimum wage rates in the state to $15/hour and expand union rights.  Currently there are six other Democrats running for the nomination.  It will be interesting to see if Glasson can emerge from a rather crowded field and gain the momentum to get the Democratic nomination.


Increased Pressure Put on Columbia University to Bargain With Graduate Student Union

On Wednesday, a press conference and forum was held by Columbia University graduate students, pro-union backers, and several New York politicians in an effort to get Columbia University to bargain with their union.  About a year ago, the NLRB issued a decision in which it held that Columbia University graduate students could organize and form a union.  Columbia University has remained resistant to that decision while they consider how they want to proceed.  As always, this one is likely far from over but the Columbia University graduate students have a lot of weight in their corner:  namely the NLRB decision and a bevy of politicians and activists starting to beat the drum.  Stay tuned.

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